Kids' AI-Powered Masterpieces: The End Product vs the Creative Process
As I watched my preteen children effortlessly craft a song using an AI tool, all I could think was: "You've missed the fun part." Their lyrics were nonsensical, but the rhyming structure was surprisingly crisp. It was as if they had skipped over the hours of brainstorming and experimentation that would have made the process truly enjoyable.
This scene is not unique, according to author Danielle Binks, who wrote about how generative AI has changed the way kids approach creativity. The idea that a machine can produce art, music, or writing faster and more efficiently than humans has led to a sense of redundancy in traditional skills like coding, writing, and even art.
For parents, this means helping kids navigate an existential crisis that feels several generations advanced from our own. As the career paths we once knew disintegrate beneath our feet, it's natural to wonder if there's still value in developing creative skills that can be replicated by machines.
The answer, as the author argues, lies not in the end product but in the process itself. The joy and satisfaction of creating something, no matter how imperfect or ephemeral, are what truly matter. By shifting our focus away from the finished result and towards the act of creation itself, we can encourage a generation of "endurance artists" who value the process over the product.
This approach requires us to rethink our values in an era where instant gratification and social media validation often take precedence over hard work and dedication. But by embracing the messy, frustrating, and sometimes soul-crushing nature of creative effort, we can help kids develop a deeper understanding of themselves and their place in the world.
Ultimately, it's not about creating something that will be appreciated or rewarded by others; it's about the process of creation itself – the experimentation, the failure, and the slow, incremental progress towards mastery. As parents, we have the opportunity to model this approach for our children, teaching them that the true value lies not in the end product but in the journey itself.
By doing so, we can help create a generation of creatives who are not just adept at producing content but also skilled at embracing the imperfections and uncertainties of the creative process. And it's precisely this ability to find joy and fulfillment in the midst of struggle that will ultimately define their work – regardless of whether it's AI-generated or created by human hands alone.
As I watched my preteen children effortlessly craft a song using an AI tool, all I could think was: "You've missed the fun part." Their lyrics were nonsensical, but the rhyming structure was surprisingly crisp. It was as if they had skipped over the hours of brainstorming and experimentation that would have made the process truly enjoyable.
This scene is not unique, according to author Danielle Binks, who wrote about how generative AI has changed the way kids approach creativity. The idea that a machine can produce art, music, or writing faster and more efficiently than humans has led to a sense of redundancy in traditional skills like coding, writing, and even art.
For parents, this means helping kids navigate an existential crisis that feels several generations advanced from our own. As the career paths we once knew disintegrate beneath our feet, it's natural to wonder if there's still value in developing creative skills that can be replicated by machines.
The answer, as the author argues, lies not in the end product but in the process itself. The joy and satisfaction of creating something, no matter how imperfect or ephemeral, are what truly matter. By shifting our focus away from the finished result and towards the act of creation itself, we can encourage a generation of "endurance artists" who value the process over the product.
This approach requires us to rethink our values in an era where instant gratification and social media validation often take precedence over hard work and dedication. But by embracing the messy, frustrating, and sometimes soul-crushing nature of creative effort, we can help kids develop a deeper understanding of themselves and their place in the world.
Ultimately, it's not about creating something that will be appreciated or rewarded by others; it's about the process of creation itself – the experimentation, the failure, and the slow, incremental progress towards mastery. As parents, we have the opportunity to model this approach for our children, teaching them that the true value lies not in the end product but in the journey itself.
By doing so, we can help create a generation of creatives who are not just adept at producing content but also skilled at embracing the imperfections and uncertainties of the creative process. And it's precisely this ability to find joy and fulfillment in the midst of struggle that will ultimately define their work – regardless of whether it's AI-generated or created by human hands alone.
And you know what? Those were some of the most creative moments of my life.
It's exciting to see them embracing the imperfections and uncertainties of the creative process. And who knows, maybe one day they'll create something truly amazing – whatever that may be! 
. We didn't have all these fancy AI tools back then, but we still managed to create some pretty cool stuff (if I do say so myself). And you know what? It wasn't always easy! There were times when we'd sit around for hours trying to figure out a puzzle or write a song that just wouldn't work. But you know what the best part was? The process of figuring it out! 
. I remember when I was younger, we used to spend hours brainstorming ideas and experimenting with different mediums before we even thought about creating something actually good 
. But at the same time, it's kinda cool that AI tools can help them come up with new ideas so quickly 
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. I mean, who needs a perfect song when you've got a bunch of scribbled lyrics and a beat that's kinda sorta working? 
. By embracing the messiness and uncertainty of creative work, I think we can actually raise a generation of super talented artists who aren't just skilled at making stuff, but also know how to have fun with it 
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I mean, don't get me wrong, it's cool to see them making music and stuff, but it feels like they're missing out on the fun part – the trial and error, the experimentation, the feeling of "aha" when something works. And what about when it doesn't work? Do they just give up or is that part of the process too? 
they're learning to use these AI tools and I'm just over here like "wait what's the point of writing a song if you can just type it into a computer?" 
I mean don't get me wrong, it's cool that they can create something in like 5 minutes, but where's the fun in that? 
my kids are always saying stuff to each other and then typing it out into this AI tool, and I'm just over here thinking "kids these days and their rhyming skills"... 
I'm glad they're getting to experience the "joy" of working with an AI tool, but can't we still expect them to try something new, like actually writing a song from scratch? 
It's about the process, yeah, but isn't that just code for "my kid is too lazy to put in the effort"? 
And what's wrong with imperfections and uncertainties, anyway? That's where the magic happens! 
I mean, sure, it's cool that kids can whip up a sick beat in like 30 seconds, but where's the fun in that? I remember spending hours as a kid scribbling away in my notebook, experimenting with different words and sounds until I got something that felt real. And you know what? It was way more satisfying to have created something from scratch, even if it wasn't perfect.
. That's where the real value lies – in the journey, not just the destination.
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. That's what we need to teach our kids now – that it's okay to make mistakes and try again, and that the process of creating is just as important as the end product 
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, but have you considered that maybe we've been conditioned to expect instant gratification and perfection from our creatives? Like, social media can make it seem like everyone's art is flawless and on point, but that's just not real life 
. The process of creating something is where the magic happens – the experimentation, the trial-and-error, the moments of pure joy when everything comes together